Invest in 10 things you love

Whether you are a football fan, a wine lover or a classic car enthusiast, you can put your passion into your investment portfolio and - with a bit of luck - make money from it.

You need to know what you are doing to make this work though, which is why we are going to run pieces on investing in everything from shoes to racehorses over the next 10 weeks.

What can I invest in?
The aim of investing is to buy an item, be that a share, a bottle of wine or an antique wardrobe, for a certain price and sell it on again at a higher one.

And while most people's investment portfolios are limited to faceless stocks, shares and investment funds, there is nothing to stop you putting a percentage of your savings into so-called alternative investments.

Car lovers, for example, could choose to buy one or more classic cars (they generally have to be classic models as modern vehicles are depreciating assets that fall in value the longer you keep them) in the hope that a few years down the line the vehicles will have risen in value, perhaps because they have become even rarer.

Sports fans, meanwhile, could choose to invest in memorabilia that they believe will become more valuable with the passing of time.

What makes an item rise in value?
Depending on what you choose to invest in, there are a number of factors that contribute to an item becoming more valuable.

If you buy a painting, for example, its value could rise because the artist who painted it becomes more famous, and therefore more sought after.

Meanwhile, if you invest in a racehorse, its performance on the track will have a major impact on the amount someone else will be prepared to pay for it.

Whatever you are interested in, it is therefore vital to do your research before investing to have the greatest chance of making a good return.

How can i get started as an "alternative" investor?
There is a wealth of investment opportunities out there for those keen to include "alternative" investments in their portfolios.

If you are interested in wine, for example, you can invest in anything from a single bottle that you expect to rise in value to your own personal vineyard plot in Argentina.

And if antique furniture is more your thing, you can choose to hunt for hidden gems at car boot sales as well as bidding for the valuable items on offer via famous auction houses such as Sotheby's.

A lot will depend on how much you can afford to invest. However deep your pockets, though, there are ways in. And who knows, your pockets might be a lot deeper after your first few deals!

So don't miss our series of articles showing you just how to make money out of your interests. The first one, on wine, will be on the site next Friday. Cheers!